E-Reporting News

California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

Assembly Bill 2286 (Feuer) was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and went into effect January 1, 2009. By January 1, 2013, all Data Elements in the Title 27 California Code of Regulations Unified Program Data Dictionary must be reported electronically.

This means that all facilities required to submit information currently reported on the Hazardous Materials Business Plan forms, (underground storage tank permit application forms, onsite hazardous waste treatment activity forms, etc.) will be required to submit that information using a state-wide Internet-based database (California Environmental Reporting System – CERS). All Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) and Unified Program Participating Agencies (PAs) will be required to accept and manage the data electronically.

Additional information on the electronic reporting system may be found at the following websites:

• Visit the Cal EPA Unified Program home page at www.calepa.ca.gov/CUPA (External link)

CERS Reporting Requirements

The new reporting requirements only change the reporting method for information that was already required to be submitted.

Electronic Submission Requirements

Existing reporting deadlines have not changed.  For example, if you normally submit a HMBP certification form by March 1 of each year, then you will have to continue to submit it electronically by March 1 of each year.  Please note that for the City of Oxnard Fire/CUPA, HMBP submissions and re-certifications will be accepted throughout the year provided they are submitted within 12 months of the last submission or recertification date. 

Submittal Element Requirements

CERS does not have individual data entry elements for some of the information that is required to be in contained in Hazardous Materials Business Plans. You must upload a Word or PDF file attachment to satisfy the California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.95 and California Code of Regulations Title 19 requirements that the HMBP contain Site Plan and Storage Map information showing the facility layout and chemical storage/handling locations, emergency response plans and procedures, and employee training information.

Print or scan applicable forms as Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files for upload to CERS using CERS’ “Upload Document” feature. Note that many computer printers and photocopiers these days also have a scan function, and some can automatically generate PDF documents. CERS requests that maps be uploaded as PDF files since they are scalable without loss of resolution, and have relatively small file sizes, both of which benefit the emergency response agencies that will use the maps.

For additional CERS questions, please contact Kandace Peaslee at (805) 385-7718.